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If you don't plan to fix the little boat right.. is this an indicator of how you will care for a larger boat should get one? The little boat may be worthless, but if you are going to repair it. geeze do it right.. Before you do any repairs to the keelson at least power wash the dirt out!

Denise, darlin', I bet power wash would take the whole keelson out!
Seriosly, though: no Bondo, no polyester resin. Some fix-rot epoxy until it won't suck up any more, then a (one should do) layer of glass tape over that, then mount the mast step either with screws (if the keelson took up enough epoxy) or fix it down with more tape and epoxy. At last that way if you do give it away the next guy won't inherit a worse mess than you did.

09-11-2011 09:47 AM

deniseO30

If you don't plan to fix the little boat right.. is this an indicator of how you will care for a larger boat should get one? The little boat may be worthless, but if you are going to repair it. geeze do it right.. Before you do any repairs to the keelson at least power wash the dirt out!

Do it right with epoxy. The loads on fittings even on little boats are enough to inflict damage to you if there is a failure. Whats an eye worth?

Good point, epoxy it is

09-11-2011 08:18 AM

Captainmeme

Do it right with epoxy. The loads on fittings even on little boats are enough to inflict damage to you if there is a failure. Whats an eye worth?

09-11-2011 07:28 AM

TSchwarck

I have had very good results using Bondo resin with cloth/mat from a hardware store. I know that many say to use epoxy, but polyester has worked for me.

09-10-2011 03:54 PM

johnnyboats

I agree with the penetrating epoxy. its really runny and will seep into any soft wood to make it rock hard. it also helps delamination and cracks. once you start tearing out old coring you open up a huge "can of worms". let it dry, patch it up and use it. dont waste money on expensive epoxy either, for re-tabbing or re-glassing. if the surface is properly ground down and prepped, boat builders resin will work fine. even a little boat like that can keep u busy all summer(winter) if you want it to be perfect.

09-10-2011 03:32 PM

WildJasmine

Thanks for the quick reply.

Will I be able to screw the mast mount into the hardened epoxy or should I just epoxy it into it?

My plan for the other hardware would be to drill holes around it and fill it with epoxy?

Maybe that will hold for about 8-10 outings?

09-10-2011 03:31 PM

Siamese

Why not just get rid of it. It's going to eat time and money. Just buy a Sunfish or a Laser, Butterfly, etc., and sell it when you're done. Or keep it.

If the idea is to go sailing, then go sailing.

If you weren't new to fiberglass work, I'd advise otherwise. If it's new to you, concentrate on learning to sail.

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